How do these groups form and develop?

Journey Groups form out of a desire to grow in faith during a particular period of time, for example the desire to journey through Lent with a small faith community by participating in a Lenten Journey Group.

Due to the timely nature of Journey Groups, these groups typically engage in a registration process prior to the group’s inception. At the conclusion of this registration period groups take on a bit more of a “closed status” to facilitate a more rapid sense of group cohesiveness given the shorter time span of the group’s time together. Even in the initial weeks of existence, these groups can still welcome new members if the group members are open and comfortable to that option. If these groups have an interest in continuing on at the conclusion of their allotted time together (i.e. the conclusion of Lent) they do have the option of becoming a Madeleine Group at that point to continue their engagement with each other as a peer led group.

Besides small faith communities that are gender specific, no groups should exclude an individual for any reason.

Small Faith Community participants and leaders should also maintain a level of confidentiality that fosters open and safe communication so that each member is welcome to share their thoughts and experiences. The exception to this confidentiality upholds that if there is concern of an individual hurting themselves, hurting others, or being hurt by others then group leaders reserve the right to communicate these concerns to the Campus Minister for Retreats and Faith Communities for appropriate follow-up.

What happens in a typical meeting?

Journey Groups meet on a weekly basis for about an hour and a half. Each group session begins and ends with an element of prayer that sets the tone for the time together and sends each member off in the spirit of prayer. These elements of prayer could include, but are not limited to, unpacking scripture readings, candlepass, sharing intentions, lectio divina, imaginative prayer, or another method that helps each individual connect with God. Community sessions also provide avenues for relationship building and faith discussion. Content for faith discussion develops from the community’s interest and Campus Ministry support. Occasionally communities might decide to engage in an activity that helps relieve stress at certain points of the academic year, such as getting ice cream, watching a movie, or going for a hike. These activities aim to enhance or refresh the communal dynamic within a community’s stages of development or that propel the community deeper into a topic of conversation. Leaders are provided with a resource that can be used and adapted for each of the group’s meetings so that all groups are following a similar course of prayer, reflection, and discussion.

Get involved

Have another idea or looking for a different type of group? Questions about Small Faith Communities? Looking to get involved? Contact Meaghan Crowley.